Planners announce convention theme: ‘Upon This Rock’

Planning is well underway for the 66th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, to be held July 9-14 at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee.

The convention theme — “Upon This Rock: Repent, Confess, Rejoice” — is based on Matt. 16:18: “On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

“This rock” refers to the glorious confession of who Christ is, made by Peter on behalf of all the disciples. It includes the keys, which Jesus immediately gives to Peter on behalf of all believers (Matt. 16:13-19; 18:18; John 20:21-23; Treatise 25). In Jesus, the Bible tells believers that they have a rock-solid confession (John 14:6).

Since the New Testament has three vital and distinct uses of the word “confess,” the convention will emphasize:

confession as repentance, and the need for our Savior in these dark times (John 1:9; Acts 19:18),

confession as evangelical witness to the world about the truth of Jesus, for the salvation of souls (John 1:20; 9:22; Rom. 10:9f.; 1 Tim. 6:12; 1 John 2:23; 4:2) and

confession as the joyous praise of the Lord for His glorious gifts and the salvation of many (Matt. 11:25; Rom. 15:9ff.; 1 John 1:1-4).

The LCMS convention will begin with an opening Divine Service at 7:30 p.m. July 9 (pre-service music begins at 7 p.m.). Then, business will be conducted until 6 p.m. each full day. There are 19 floor committees, and 18 of those will gather May 27-30 in St. Louis to review overtures and develop resolutions to be included in the first issue of Today’s Business, which will be available the beginning of June.

The convention will include worship opportunities and an essayist each day. On the evening of July 11, Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, Wis., will host an evening event on its campus for attendees.

Beginning with the March issue, all delegates to the convention are receiving the print edition of Reporter gratis. Most of those added to the list in March are lay delegates who have not been been receiving the newspaper. The 2016 convention delegates will continue receiving Reporter through the August 2019 edition.

Visit lcms.org/convention and facebook.com/LCMSConvention to stay up-to-date on convention news.

Posted Feb. 29, 2016